Is it possible to restore a truck to the point where you can't tell if it's original?

[ubtripn]

Hi everyone,

A little craftsmanship question here. Is it possible to restore a truck so well that a person could not tell? What I mean is can you restore it to the point where it cannot be distinguished from an original truck with 6 miles on it that has been garaged and not driven since it was bought?

-I'm not trying to see if a person could rip somebody off, I just want to know if it is possible to build one that well if you have the skills, money and determination. (and understanding wife)

[jojo]

Not with my budget. Or skills.

[2manyprojects]

I think you could make it very hard to tell the difference. I think you would need to find the mother load stash of NOS parts and be able to not make it look perfect. I've seen a couple unrestored very low mileage cars. the gaps and paint weren't perfect. there was over spray etc. There is still the smell and dust in cracks of a truck that has been sitting for 40 years that I think would be impossible to duplicate.

[VA72C10]

Is this in reference to the 80 mile truck on ebay???

[1LoC10]

I think if you restored it to that point, every nut and bolt etc... it would be worth more than a survivor anyways

[WIDESIDE72]

Auction in question:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...36#description

[Longhorn Man]

with the repro parts they sell today, i think it would be very hard to pull off. i doubt it could be done personally

[dougo]

In my opinion, yes - I've seen it done. I have a couple friends who are in the restoration business (as well as car collectors) - corvettes, muscle cars, el caminos... and have done frame up restorations (down to the bolt/clip - 2-3 yr restoration projects). I've seen them do it and get different results = better than factory built (but all original, or NOS parts), and the appearence of factory built (perfect in all aspects of an orginal). This is not really the, or their, objective (to trick someone), it's more or less the results of their build.

To this day, even some of the frame off restorations they completed 15 years ago (and still have in their collection) - nuts and bolts (for example) have the patina that you'd see on an all original un-molested car.

Anyway, just sharing what I've seen...

[dougo]

Originally Posted by dougo

In my opinion, yes - I've seen it done. I have a couple friends who are in the restoration business (as well as car collectors) - corvettes, muscle cars, el caminos... and have done frame up restorations (down to the bolt/clip - 2-3 yr restoration projects). I've seen them do it and get different results = better than factory built (but all original, or NOS parts), and the appearence of factory built (perfect in all aspects of an orginal). This is not really the, or their, objective (to trick someone), it's more or less the results of their build.

To this day, even some of the frame off restorations they completed 15 years ago (and still have in their collection) - nuts and bolts (for example) have the patina that you'd see on an all original un-molested car.

Anyway, just sharing what I've seen...

I forgot to add... one friend of mine is doing this with a '72 burb. He's been collecting NOS parts (to replace some original) for about 2.5 years now... and slowing getting to a point where he can start the restoration. I'm going to assume he'll have over 30K in it when done and total time will most likely be 3-5 year project when done. It's pretty amazing.... I'll definately post pics (but it might be awhile).

[67ChevyRedneck]

Franken-trucks are more fun anyway. Power nothing, no A/C, drum brakes, AM/FM stereos, an NO over-drive? No thanks

[big_al_71]

Sure it could be done....without a doubt. I know several men with some huge skills and seen some camaros, chevelles, gto etc built to perfection.

[oldblue1968chevy]

It would be awesome, but I couldnt do it. I HAVE to be tinkering whether it needs it or not!!! Id have a 25k truck with drums doing a disc brake conversion lol...

[ubtripn]

I wasn't referring to any ad or truck in particular, just curious. So what I think I am hearing is that it is possible to build one that is even better. (With the right resources.)

[Longhorn Man]

we arent talkinf camaros and chevelles here, we are talking trucks. With a small stash of NOS stuff left over for us 40 years later (unlike the mainstream stuff) and the craptastic repro stuff, I honestly doubt it could be done to someone who knows what they are looking at. To the typical Joe Pedestrian Public, it can be done. but not for people who know what they are looking at.

[PHAT TONY]

It'd be tough to reproduce 45 year old paint technology; I've tried it and eurathane single stage and base coat/clearcoats don't layout the same or over spray the same, and the sh!tee repo parts.....

[Critter]

I agree with longhornman, the answer lies with the person looking at it. I doubt a true expert on these trucks could be fooled, there are just too many aspects that wouldn't be right. The little details like fastners and rivets would be something that comes to mind. Not to mention paint aspects like Phat Tony mentioned

[ubtripn]

Wow- thank everyone for the responses. One would think there would be a market for higher quality parts out there. I had no idea all of the catalog stuff sucked so bad. Also, I looked at the add everyone thought I was talking about, given what everyone has said I would think 25K would be a steal?

[rsavage]

That truck was for sale on ebay before and discussed on the forum a couple of months ago. Someone knows the guy who found/bought it and it is legit.

[Shane]

anyone else find it funny the 80 mile "original" ebay truck with the body lines that don't match up is pictured sitting in front of a body shop ...

[ubtripn]

Suspicious to say the least but I believe it

[hounddogs!]

So how did they get it registered with a '72 plate? 'Sposed to be year of manufacture if you're going to run an old plate.

[TomJohnston]

Originally Posted by hounddogs!

So how did they get it registered with a '72 plate? 'Sposed to be year of manufacture if you're going to run an old plate.

In MN you can run any old plate on the car/truck that it could have been licensed with, assuming the vehicle is falls into the collector category. Fer instance a '72 plate works on my '70, or a '58 plate with a tab for 1970. But I don't know what other states say.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

Sure it could be done....without a doubt. I know several men with some huge skills and seen some camaros, chevelles, gto etc built to perfection.

I think that's the issue: they weren't perfect, back in the day.

I have a 4800 mile '65 GTO that belonged to my dad (original owner), in original unrestored condition.

The paint, fit and finish on that car are terrible. There are numerous defects, like hairs in the paint, they painted right over solvents or something that marred the finish, handprints in the paint, etc that have been there since day 1.

Most restorers don't duplicate that stuff, nor would I want them to.

Having been around original cars my whole life, and "uber restored" perfect Pontiacs out of Scott Tiemann's shop - I think I could tell the difference.


K

[gkesseru]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Is this in reference to the 80 mile truck on ebay???

The odometer has 80 miles on it, while the truck may have more. I don't think there is a tamper seal on either end of the speedometer cable.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by TomJohnston

In MN you can run any old plate on the car/truck that it could have been licensed with, assuming the vehicle is falls into the collector category. Fer instance a '72 plate works on my '70, or a '58 plate with a tab for 1970. But I don't know what other states say.

In Texas, it states in the form that it has to be from the year of manufacture. Who is to say that the truck is registered now anyway? Maybe it was last registered in 1972 (?)